Speaker · Writer · Consultant · Academic

Placing Africa on an irreversible path to transformation.

I'm Hesphina, Associate Lecturer at a School of Governance. I help leaders, institutions and audiences think clearly about governance, peace and development on the continent.

PhD, University of the Witwatersrand · Former Deputy Chief of Staff, African Union Commission · Former Deputy Chief Executive, NEPAD Secretariat

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Governance & Human Security

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Trusted by institutions shaping Africa's future

University of the Witwatersrand
PhD · Associate Lecturer
African Union Commission
Former Deputy Chief of Staff
AUDA-NEPAD
Former Deputy Chief Executive
G20
G20 / T20
Reference group chair, SA 2025
GMT
Graça Machel Trust
Former Board Chair, NABW Zimbabwe
CA
Crisis Action
Africa Director
ACCORD
ACCORD
Listed expert

“Africa's transformation must be strategic, sequenced and irreversible.”

— Hesphina

What I work on

Six areas fundamental to Africa's transformation

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Hesphina on video

Discussing her new publication on the TANA Forum's first decade

EBC English

Latest writing

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Institutional & Capacity Building · Article

Dr. Mongella, “Mama Beijing”

“I am a fisherman’s daughter. I am used to eating fish and separating fishbones with my tongue.”-Dr. Getrude Mongella. On 13 March, I had the great opportunity to pay...

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Governance · Article

African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA)

I had the opportunity to catch up with my former boss at NEPAD, Prof. hashtag#Wiseman Nkuhlu. We reminisced about our shared experiences at the NEPAD Secretariat, now the African...

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Sustainable Development · Article

Addis Transformation- A Lesson in Self-reliance

During the 11th Tana Forum on Security in Africa, held in Addis Ababa from 24–26 October, my colleagues and I had the opportunity to travel through the city at...

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Governance · Article

“The African Union and Agenda 2063: The past, present and future” Book Launch

On 8 October I joined colleagues at the University of Johannesburg and Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) for the launch of the book: “The African Union and...

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Natural Resources Governance · Article

Africa’s Resource Sovereignty

October 9-10: Thank you, University of Johannesburg, Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC), and TrustAfrica, for the opportunity to rub minds with colleagues on the hashtag#Reparations and Africa’s...

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Institutional & Capacity Building · Article

Do not be in a rush to leave your past behind: Reconnecting with Matshepiso after more than 25 years!

On 6 September, I bumped into an old friend and former colleague after a 25-year separation-Matshepiso Makhabane. I have many excuses for the separation: We were young We got...

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Featured publication

Future Africa: Prospects for Democracy and Development under NEPAD

Africa World Press · 2010

Her book on the New Partnership for Africa's Development: its background and genesis, the establishment of the NEPAD secretariat, programme implementation, sectoral priority programmes, resource mobilisation, the role of Regional Economic Communities, a new global partnership for Africa's development, NEPAD's integration into African Union processes, and prospects for the future.

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